Apple AirTag helps locate stolen car

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

JB William Jackson, Jr., 29, was arrested yesterday evening after allegedly stealing a car that had an Apple AirTag in it.

The owners of the car reported it stolen on Sunday, and they told Gainesville Police Department that there was an Apple AirTag in the vehicle that they had tracked to the Holly Heights area. An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle in that area and initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle reportedly attempted to evade the patrol car. The deputy was concerned that pedestrians might be at risk, so he conducted a direct-to-contact with the passenger side of the vehicle at about 18 mph. He reported that the vehicle continued to accelerate and hit a tree. The driver, later identified as Jackson, allegedly fled on foot.

Jackson was captured about three blocks away; his shirt and fanny pack were found on the ground along his path. The fanny pack reportedly contained 1.8 grams of MDPV.

Jackson has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and resisting arrest. He has seven felony convictions, was most recently released from state prison on February 24, 2022, and is on probation. He is being held on $45,000 bond.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.